A new art style was instituted at the beginning of the series. A notable difference is that the stock 'effect' backgrounds have been almost entirely removed (only appearing when a main character catches a Pokémon, whenever Ash or Serena earn a GymBadge or Princess Key, respectively, and when Team Rocket recites their motto). Also, the character models (as seen in the artworks) are slightly taller and leaner in comparison to the previous four series. In addition, much like the core seriesPokémon games from Generation III onwards, a VS. player overview screen appears before starting some battles and Showcase rounds. Similarly to In The Shadow of Zekrom!, Ash also receives a physical redesign, now having softer and slightly smaller birthmarks on his cheeks, his hair covers the top of his ears and is spikier, and he has more locks on his forehead.

Contents

Blurb

It’s time for Ash and Pikachu to set off on their adventures in the Kalos region! Along the way, they’re joined by some new friends—a genius inventor named Clemont, his little sister Bonnie, and Serena, a Trainer on her first journey. Ash immediately tries to challenge the Gym in Lumiose City, but doesn’t get very far before a robot throws him out! In between Gym battles, Ash and friends will be exploring this unique region, meeting all kinds of new Pokémon, and looking into a fascinating new Pokémon mystery!

Dub seasons

Unlike what was previously done, when the XY series came to be dubbed into English and other languages, it was localized as a whole. While it is still divided into three seasons, they share a common title:

Two of the traveling companions are siblings, with one of them being too young to have Pokémon of their own.

Both sets of siblings are related to the fifth Gym Leader of their respective region, and both older siblings tried to hide this fact at first.

This Gym is also the first one that Ash attempts to challenge in the region.

Ash receives only one starter Pokémon in the region and fully evolves it.

Ash's female companion does not have a specific goal in mind in the beginning of their journey, but later becomes inspired to pursue a career that focuses more on displaying a Pokemon's style rather than its power: May aims to become a Top Coordinator, and Serena aims to become Kalos Queen.

Both were expected to pursue the same career as one of their parents: May was expected to become a Gym Leader like her father, and Serena was expected to become a Rhyhorn racer like her mother.

Both begin their journeys for unorthodox reasons: May to travel, and Serena to reunite with Ash.

Both start with the region's Fire-type starter Pokémon: May starts with Torchic and Serena starts with Fennekin. Both of their starter Pokémon evolved during the series.

Both obtain an Eevee, which later evolves into an Eeveelution native to the region they are currently in at the time of the Evolution.

In the Japanese version, the focus character in the title card segment changes depending on the episode, and usually that character also reads the title card. In the English dub, all episodes feature Ash as the focus character, except Mega-Mega Meowth Madness! and One for the Goomy (both US airing only), which instead feature Bonnie as the focus character.

In the Japanese version, starting from An Oasis of Hope!, the title card was updated to use Serena's new design. In the dub, the title card continued to use Serena's old design.